Tidy Tray

A tidy tray is a little tray you can leave by the front door or on your dresser. Empty out your pockets when you come home, and it will secure your keys, cell phone or jewelry until you need them again. To make this project special, recycle a vintage dishcloth or a canvas bag picked up during your last vacation. I especially love the printed towels that feature a map showing all of a state’s attractions. Your vide-poche will be a wonderful reminder of some lazier days.

To make sewing through all the layers in this project easier, I recommend using the BERNINA Jeans foot #8, a straight stitch foot meant for topstitching jeans. This will yield beautiful stitch quality.

Materials to sew a tidy tray

The tray can be made in a variety of sizes, but I find that squares between 8″ x 8″ and 11″ x 11″ produce a nice sturdy surface.

• Two squares of fabric measuring between 8″ x 8″ and 11″ x 11″
• One square of cotton batting the same size as the two squares
• Purple vanishing fabric marking pen
• Pins
• Thread
• Hand-sewing needle
• Your sewing machine
• BERNINA Jeans foot #8

Step One

Place the square of batting on a flat surface. Place the two squares of fabric right sides together on top of the batting. Pin the three layers together, leaving a space measuring about 2 ½” wide along one side for turning. In the photo the opening is between the two colored pins.

Step Two

Sew all around the perimeter of the square using a ¼” seam allowance, being careful not to stitch over the opening. Clip the four corners and turn the square right side out. Press the opening closed and topstitch close to the outside edge.

Step Three

With the purple marking pen draw lines 1½” from each of the four sides. Sew around the perimeter of the square you have just created with the purple pen.

Step Four

Now is a good time to attach the jeans topstitching foot to the sewing machine, because in the next step you will be sewing through six layers at once!

Step Five

Fold one corner, matching two of the purple pen lines.

Step Six

Sew along the part of the line that joins the edge of the fabric to the corner of the inside square.

Step Seven

Repeat this process on all four corners. To round and open the corners, press them toward the tray firmly with your fingers. And here you are with another project wrapped up!